Chapter 281
+25 BONUS
“Are you ready, buddy?” Arthur kneels In front of Miles, adjusting the collar of his navy blue uniform. The formal little outfit makes our son look older somehow, more grown–up than his five years. My chest aches at the sight.
Miles shifts from foot to foot. “What if the other kids don’t like me?”
“That’s impossible,” I say with a smile, “You’re the most cable kid in the world.”
Miles considers this for a moment before muttering, “Yeali,, but what if I get lost? The school is really big”
“Your classroom is just down the hall from the main entrance,” I remind him gently. “And your teacher will make sure you get where you need to go.”
Miles wrinkles his nose and looks up at the enormous Wellington Academy building behind us, clearly unconvinced. I have to admit, the large redbrick building, with ivy climbing up its walls and wrought iron gates and fences that couldn’t be climbed over even with a ten–foot–tall ladder on either side, is a little intimidating even to me. I can only imagine how it looks to a five–year–old. But I don’t say that out loud.
Once Miles is ready, the three of us walk together toward the building, Other parents and children stream past, some looking confident and excited, others clearly as nervous as Miles.
Inside, the school is even more impressive than I remember from our tour. The main hall is bustling with people, new shoes echoing on the gleaming hardwood floors and banners hanging from the walls reading “Welcome, Students!”
Unlike the underfunded public schools I visited during my charity research, everything here is pristine and well- maintained, clearly the beneficiary of those exorbitant tuition fees. It’s beautiful inside, clearly designed to ensure the highest quality education possible.
My stomach twists slightly as I recall the bad press we’ve received surrounding all of this. A few parents even glance our way, furrowing their brows as we walk by. For a moment, I question our decision again, but then Miles” face lights up as he sees a group of little boys playing with plastic dinosaurs outside a classroom, and any second thoughts I have vanish at the sight of his excitement.
As we approach Miles‘ classroom, we spot his teacher standing at the door, greeting each child by name even though it’s their very first day of kindergarten. She’s young probably in her early thirties, with a kind smile and colorful butterfly clips in her hair.
“And you must be Miles!” she exclaims when we reach her “I’m so happy to see you today!”
Miles shrinks against my leg, suddenly shy again, but his teacher seems unfazed.
“I have something special to show you,” she continues, kneeling to his level. “Do you want to see the class pet? His name is Sheldon, and he’s a turtle.”
Miles perks up immediately. “A real turtle?”
“A real turtle,” his teacher confirms with a grin. “He’s very friendly. Would you like to help me feed him this morning?”
Miles looks up at Arthur and me, silently asking permission. We both nod encouragingly.
“You go ahead,” Arthur says. “Mom and I will stick around for a few more minutes.”
Chapter 281
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Miles hesitates just a moment longer before releasing our hands and following his teacher into the classroom. We watch from the doorway as the introduces him to a small group of children already gathered around a terrarium in
e corner. Miles wrings his hands and stands on lls tiptors to see the turtle.
“He’ll be fine,” Arthur murmurs, his arm sliding around my waist. “You don’t have to cry.”
I didn’t even realize there was a tear slipping down my cheek until now. I quickly brush it away with the back of my hand and whisper thickly, “I know. I know he’ll be fine,
Arthur’s arm gently tightens around me, and he leans his head on top of mine.
We stand there for a few minutes longer, just quietly watching the scene. Finally, the bell rings, and it’s time for us to go. I try to cherish this moment as much as I can–the smell of new books and backpacks, children’s sneakers squeaking on the floor, our son nervously checking out his very first desk.
There are all moments I thought the three of us would never get to experience as a family, and yet here we are. Together. Happy.
If only the public felt the same way.
Ever since the children’s day event yesterday, the public has been in a small frenzy. Pictures were captured of Veronica scooping Miles up, my sour face, and of course, the papers that cruelly revealed Miles‘ enrollment at Wellington.
Chapter 282
+25 BONUS
Chapter 282
